Pillar of Strength

Overhead lifting requires a tremendous amount of midline strength and stability, without which we either fail in the attempt and/or expose ourselves to possible injury. Athletically, when we shoulder press, push press, push jerk and overhead squat it is requisite that we remain "tight" under the load in order to effectively move the load as well as protect ourselves. You cannot effectively transfer power from the ground to overhead if you are soft in the middle. It is obvious to the athlete in exercises such as hollow rocks, L sits and knees-to-elbows what we are after, but less apparent and even more critical to the execution of the aforementioned overhead exercises. One cannot have distal mobility without proximal stability. Thus, when your coach is cueing you to "tighten up," draw your abdominals into your spine and squeeze your shoulders down and back. The overhead lifts serve to teach us complete integration of the upper and lower extremities, thus making us more efficient in our everyday lives.





Want to see how stable you are overhead? Try the Silly Ball overhead for time. (a swiss ball filled with water) Coach K holds the house record @ 1:01.



Nice work JD and Coach K!


-Kevin